MARDUK, EPIC OF. The Babylonian creation-epic, in which Marduk (q.v.), the head of the pantheon, is the principal figure. Marduk is represented as battling with a great monster, Thimat. In the beginning there existed only Apsu, the ocean, and Titimat, primaeval chaos. Both really represent the same thing, the one being masculine. the other feminine. Then the gods were created : first Lakhmn and Lakhamu, then Anshar and Kishar, next Ann, Bel and Ea. Tifimat bad as her asso ciates great serpents, furious vipers, seorpion-men, and other monsters, of whom the chief was Kingu. Kingu is made ruler over all the gods. Tiamat seems to have resolved to destroy them. Anshar sends Anu his son to pacify her, but in vain. Then he sends Ea, but with the same result. Finally he sends his son Marduk. The news of his coming is conveyed to the army of Titimat, "all the Igigi," by a messenger Gaga. Before Marduk goes forth be is encouraged by the gods. They give him a sign, which consists in his performing a miracle. He makes a garment first disappear and then reappear. He arms himself with a net of seven destructive winds, in addition to ordinary arms, and mounts his chariot. When
be approaches Tiamat, Kingu and his monsters are afraid. Marduk challenges TiAmat to fight. They fight. Marduk envelops her in his net, plunges his spear into her, and kills her. Afterwards he captures her monsters, and takes from Kingu the tablets of fate which Tiamat had given him. He cuts Tiftmat in two. Of one half of her he made the heavens. Of the other half, we may suppose, he made the earth. He makes a dwelling for Ea in front of Apsu that he may control this subterranean sea. Over Apsu he places Esharra, the vault of earth. He assigns to Anu, Bel, and Ea their districts. He sets up the stars and constellations, and divides the year into twelve months. He makes Nanaar, the moon-god, and gives him control of the night. When he has completed his work, he is praised and adored by the Igigi. Bel and Fin, the great gods, give him their own names. In an epilogue all men are bidden to remember and acknowledge Marduk's great achievements. See Morris Jastrow, Rel.; Reinach, O.